The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Sunglasses

The Five Rules

What do Audrey Hepburn, Jackie
Onassis, John Lennon and Bono have in common? Iconic sunglasses. But choosing
your signature shades is no walk in the park – there’s size, shape and colour
to contend with, not to mention the practicality of UV protection. Here’s a
guide to picking the perfect pair.

Remember Function As Well As FormSure, they look
great, but let’s not forget that sunglasses provide an important function.
Kanye West-style “shutter shades” won’t do much to shield your eyes from UV
rays, so look for sunglasses with a lens category of 2 or 3 – these will be
effective in reducing glare and provide a medium to high level of protection. If you spend a lot of time on the
water, it’s probably worth investing in polarised lenses, which will further
reduce glare.

Opposites AttractThe general rule of
thumb is to choose sunglasses that are the opposite shape to your face. So, if
you have a square face, look for rounded curvy frames, and if you have a round
face, look for square geometric frames. Heart-shaped faces are best suited to
aviator or cat-eye styles, while oval faces can opt from any of the above.

Shop For Your SizeAn oversized frame on
a petite face can look insectile, while a small frame on a large face is
equally unflattering. Try on different styles to make sure the lens, bridge and
length of the frame’s arm suits you – you’ll be glad you did when you discover
that you don’t need to constantly push the frames up the bridge of your nose.

Invest In The ClassicsAs
with most fashion purchases, it pays to spend more money on a piece you’ll love
for years rather than something that will make you cringe next season.
Wayfarers and Aviators are both unisex styles with enduring appeal. Ray-Ban’s Aviators
were developed for pilots in the 1930s and became a celebrity favourite in the
1950s, while Wayfarers were released in the ’50s and had a Tom Cruise-induced
revival in the ’80s. Opt for tortoiseshell or plain black acetate frames to
complement most outfits.

Know Your True ColourWhile the colour of
the lens won’t affect the amount of UV protection, it will determine the types
of activities and conditions your glasses are best suited to. Grey lenses are a
good all-purpose tint, simply darkening what you’d ordinarily see without
distorting colours. Green tints are another all-rounder, while brown/amber
tints enhance contrast and are good for unpredictable weather, as well as
sporting activities that require depth perception (such as golf and tennis). Rose-coloured
tints are said to improve road visibility, offering the greatest amount of
contrast, and are often thought to be the most comfortable for long periods of
wear as they reduce eye strain.